Steve Costanzo, son of Vince and Judy Costanzo, was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, along with sisters Lori, Gina, and Kathy. When seven-year-old Steve came home from school with a wrestling flyer, Vince and Judy were a little skeptical, but gave in after some relentless begging on Steve’s part. The Bennington elementary, middle school, and senior high wrestling programs were coached by Rick Allgood, who did it “All” and did it “Good”. Steve excelled all the way through the program, amassing a 131-14 overall record, placing at State four times with a Runner-up and a State Championship medal. Steve was blessed to be on some outstanding wrestling teams at Bennington, and helped his team to bring home State Titles in 1987 and 1990. Coaches Rod Tickle and Allen Pokorney followed Coach Allgood at Bennington, with Pokorney serving as a tremendous practice partner and mentor for Costanzo. Steve was also an excellent football player at Bennington (all-state defensive back) and had the thrill of playing on a State Championship Football Team in 1989. Costanzo was a solid centerfielder on the Bennington baseball team, which finished 3rd place at State in 1990. Steve has fond memories of his high school days and thoroughly enjoyed every sport in which he had the privilege to participate.

Costanzo enrolled at Nebraska, Omaha after graduation and continued his stellar wrestling career as a three-time All-American with back-to-back 3rd place finishes at the Division II National Tournament. Steve was blessed to be on four outstanding wrestling teams with two runner-up finishes, a third place, and a National Team Title in 1991.

After graduation, Costanz spent three years in Colorado teaching and coaching wrestling at the high school level before accepting the head wrestling position at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. In his seven seasons at Dana, Steve had the honor of coaching 31 NAIA All-Americans, with two Individual National Champions and an NAIA National Team Championship (setting a national scoring record) in 2006.

Steve was then hired as the St. Cloud State Head Wrestling Coach, where he has taken that program to the next level. Steve is entering his twentieth season at St. Cloud and has enjoyed phenomenal success with 90 Division II All-Americans and seven individual National Champs. His teams have placed in the top five 13 times with four runner-up finishes and five NCAA Division II National Team Titles. In addition, his St. Cloud charges have won nine National Dual Meet Championships. Steve and his wrestlers have garnered a boatload of individual honors along the way – both in the classroom and on the mat. In Costanz’s 26 years at Dana and St. Cloud, his grapplers have earned 193 Academic All-American honors. During that time period, his teams have recorded 347 wins against 61 losses and 2 ties for a winning percentage of .850.

The secret to Costanz’s success is not really a secret. It is pure and simple –

“Hard Work” – both in the classroom and on the mat as well as those times when no one is watching. Steve recruits quality student-athletes who are willing to commit and provides them with the tools they need to be successful in wrestling and in life.